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Cultural ecosystem services benefits are often mentioned but seldom quantified in the scientific literature. The construction of a multi-criteria and non-monetary index based on multi-capital approaches aims to measure the recreational and educational benefits from visiting protected Mediterranean wetlands. Definition of the index structure results from a series of nine perception studies in Mediterranean wetlands. It is based on a grid with four types of capital that structure the analysis of the relationship between wetlands and societies: natural capital and built capital (condition capitals), human capital and social capital (impact capital). The index result for 19 Mediterranean sites is 0,68, showing global positive impacts of wetland visits on well-being. At the regional scale, natural capital holds the highest rank while human capital holds the lowest. Improving the impact of wetland visits on humans is thus a relevant target. Strengthening the effects on well-being also depends on the quality of the facilities offered at the sites. Natural and built services in an ecosystem have mutually to support each other so as to create positive impacts on well-being without damaging natural resources. At site level, results differ according to local strategic management choices and national environmental policies. This first step allows to establish a baseline and shows the index relevance with regard to both operational expectations and, in the field of research, on the evaluation of CES. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]